IAN WHITAKER FROM GOSPORT AND SOUTH SHIELDS JAILED FOR HISTORIC SEX OFFENCES AGAINST YOUNG GIRLS

In a case that has spanned over three decades, Ian Whitaker, a 66-year-old man originally from South Tyneside, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for a series of serious sexual offences committed against young girls. The offences, which date back to the late 1970s and early 1980s, have finally been brought to justice after a lengthy investigation.

Ian Whitaker, who resided in Gosport, Hampshire, at the time of the abuse, was a Chief Petty Officer serving in the Royal Navy. During that period, he engaged in repeated acts of sexual misconduct against two young girls, who were then aged between nine and twelve. The court proceedings revealed that Whitaker used manipulative tactics, including offering cash and cigarettes to persuade the children to comply with his demands. He also threatened one of the victims, telling her he would kill her and harm her family if she disclosed what was happening.

The case came to light after one of the victims, now in her 40s, contacted the police last year. Her report prompted an investigation that eventually led to the identification of the second victim. Whitaker was subsequently arrested and admitted to the charges against him, which included one count of multiple incident indecent assault and four counts of indecency with a child. His guilty plea was accepted at an earlier hearing, and he was ordered to register as a sex offender for ten years.

During the sentencing at Portsmouth Crown Court, Judge Richard Price acknowledged the profound impact of Whitaker’s actions. He stated, “Over the period of three years, or maybe as long as four, you were sexually abusing these two young girls. Your abuse had a marked effect on both of them. It’s no exaggeration to say that you will have ruined their lives.” The judge also explained that the maximum sentence available at the time of the offences was two years, and due to Whitaker’s guilty plea, the sentence was reduced accordingly. Nonetheless, he expressed that the punishment was insufficient given the harm caused.

One of the victims, who chose to remain anonymous for legal reasons, attended the court hearing. She expressed mixed feelings about the sentence, stating, “I feel that justice has been done. It’s a relief. But it’s annoying that the judge’s hands were tied. He deserved to get longer.” She further added, “This has ruined my life. Hopefully, now I can get on with my life.”

Following the sentencing, Whitaker was also ordered to be placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for ten years. His defense attorney, Jeffrey Norie-Miller, expressed that Whitaker felt deep remorse for his actions. Norie-Miller stated, “There has been no subsequent offending of any type. He accepts that it was unpleasant for them, and has had serious long-term impact. He does not seek to diminish that.”

Judge Price concluded by emphasizing the gravity of Whitaker’s crimes, despite the legal limitations. “The law restricts the length of the sentence I can impose for these historic offences,” he said. “The sentence will sound wholly insufficient to punish you for the harm that you did, but I am bound by what the law allows.”